Nonwoven Material with Three-Dimensional Active Wicking and Evaporation

Abstract

An article comprises one or more optional permeable facing layers and a body of fibrous absorbing material. The body includes a fibrous lofted nonwoven material. The fibrous absorbing material is adapted to be situated adjacent to a surface having or producing moisture. At least a portion of fibers of the fibrous lofted nonwoven material have a generally vertical orientation relative to the surface having or producing moisture, preferably forming an angle of about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees. The article is capable of absorbing and/or transferring moisture and is permeable and resilient. The article is e.g. a backpack, clothing or protective gear.

1 . An article comprising:
 one or more optional permeable facing layers;   a body of fibrous absorbing material, wherein the body comprises a fibrous lofted nonwoven material;
 wherein the fibrous absorbing material is adapted to be situated adjacent to a surface having or producing moisture; 
 wherein at least a portion of fibers of the fibrous lofted nonwoven material have a generally vertical orientation relative to the surface having or producing moisture, wherein the fibers having a generally vertical orientation have a general visible trend preferably forming an angle of about 45 degrees to about 135 degrees; 
 wherein the article is capable of absorbing and/or transferring moisture, is permeable, and is resilient, 
 wherein the article is wearable or adapted to be used with a wearable item and wherein the surface having or producing moisture is skin and/or hair of a body or a garment wetted with moisture; and 
 wherein the article is dry to the touch at the surface having or producing moisture before the entire article has dried. 
   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the body of fibrous absorbing material has one or more compressed portions where the fibers have a generally non-vertical orientation and one or more lofted portions where the fibers have a generally vertical orientation. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the lofted portion is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the surface having or producing moisture and the compressed portion is adapted to be positioned away from the surface having or producing moisture. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 6 , wherein the compressed portion is adapted to be positioned adjacent to the surface having or producing moisture and the lofted portion is adapted to be positioned away from the surface having or producing moisture. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous absorbing material includes hydrophilic fibers. 
     
     
         13 . The article of  claim 12 , wherein layers of the fibrous absorbing material are arranged based on their hydrophilic properties, and wherein the layers are arranged from least hydrophilic to most hydrophilic, wherein the least hydrophilic layer is adapted to be positioned adjacent the surface having or producing moisture. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 1 , comprising an A-surface facing material, the body of fibrous absorbing material, and a B-surface facing material, wherein the A-surface facing material is adapted to be positioned adjacent the surface having or producing moisture. 
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein the A-surface facing material is less hydrophobic than the body of fibrous absorbing material. 
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein the B-surface facing material is more hydrophobic than the body of fibrous absorbing material. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein fluid is exchanged within the article by expelling the fluid from the article upon compression and drawing in new fluid upon recovery. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the lofted nonwoven material is a carded and lapped material, and wherein the lapped material is a vertically lapped or rotary lapped material. 
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the lofted nonwoven material is or includes an air laid material. 
     
     
         31 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein formation of the lofted nonwoven material is free of air laying processes and/or wherein the lofted nonwoven material is free of an air laid material. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . (canceled) 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous absorbing material wicks moisture away from the surface having or producing moisture in a generally vertical direction generally transverse to the surface having or producing moisture. 
     
     
         39 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the fibrous absorbing material wicks moisture in a transverse direction generally parallel to the surface having or producing moisture toward an extended portion. 
     
     
         40 . The article of  claim 39 , wherein evaporation of moisture absorbed by the fibrous absorbing material occurs from multiple directions at the extended portion. 
     
     
         41 . (canceled) 
     
     
         42 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is adapted to be used with a backpack, wherein the article is positioned at a back contact portion, a side panel, a strap, a waist harness, or any combination thereof of the backpack. 
     
     
         43 . (canceled) 
     
     
         44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is adapted to be used with a sporting pad or helmet. 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is adapted to be used with an article of footwear. 
     
     
         50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is adapted to be used in a garment or vest. 
     
     
         52 - 77 . (canceled)